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I’m delighted to introduce Steve Bowkett to the Thinking Child blog page this month.

Steve Bowkett
www.stevebowkett.co.uk

Steve is a successful author and trainer, as well as being a fully qualified hypnotherapist; a powerful combination I think you’ll agree.

He is currently delivering a really successful course which deals with the issues of how to motivate reluctant writers. How many of you reading this have children you would describe as ‘reluctant writers’?

Yes? Thought so.  Both Steve and I find that low levels of literacy and the fact that the technicalities of writing often don’t ‘stick’ with children are ongoing problems in many, if not most, primary classrooms. (and many secondary ones too actually)

Low self-confidence and low self-esteem among children (not just in their writing) inhibit learning greatly and become especially acute in an educational system that increasingly builds competition and comparison into the learning process.

Children with little confidence and the inability to assess their own achievements are less likely to enjoy their school experience or fulfil their potential as learners.

When you book Steve to deliver this course you will learn a range of practical techniques and versatile activities for helping children to become more confident writers, which in turn will make writing more enjoyable for them.

As young writers become more confident in using the how-to strategies and start to make improvements to their work, their self-esteem as well as the quality of their writing are likely to rise.

Steve’s day covers:

• Creating the Writing Environment. Building the classroom ethos where more confident writing can take place.
• Dealing with Feelings. Showing how children can work directly on negative thoughts, feelings and limiting beliefs within the context of writing quickly, safely and effectively.
• Writing Games. Enjoyable activities designed to motivate even highly reluctant writers to ‘have a go’. These games can be used across a wide age and ability range and are underpinned by a number of core thinking skills.
• Practice Pieces. Showing how presenting children with pieces of text containing deliberate errors and anomalies will sharpen up their editing skills while avoiding the problem of them feeling negatively judged. Bespoke pieces of writing for editing purposes can be focussed on any areas of writing to support your ongoing programmes of work in literacy.
• A Love of Language. Exploring the aesthetic qualities of writing spoken aloud. This section touches upon euphony (‘pleasing sounds’), rhythm and flow in language, ‘phonemes and physiology’ (supporting the teaching of synthetic phonics), and wordplay, including how to use nonsense words creatively!
• Storytelling Skills. Touching upon the importance of teaching children how to tell stories as a way of developing their communication and interpersonal skills.

Schools are also given a follow up CD of extensive guidance notes, templates and activity sheets

To book this unique and valuable opportunity contact Steve directly: [email protected]

Tel: 01858 565657